Govt pledges RM3mil aid for athletes’ welfare body

KUALA LUMPUR: Unlike the previous administration, the present government will keep the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) going with more financial aid, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“I’m not campaigning here, but when the previous government led for 22 months, not only monetary assistance wasn’t given, but there were proposals to shut down this foundation.

“It was only when we came back as the government that financial assistance was given,” the Prime Minister said while opening Yakeb’s 7th annual general assembly at a hotel in Bukit Kiara here yesterday.

Ismail Sabri also announced that RM3mil in financial assistance has been channelled to Yakeb.

“This (RM3mil) is for the previous year and this year. God willing, there will be more (financial assistance) for next year,” said the Bera MP, whose announcement was received with applause from the audience.

“I hope this allocation will benefit former athletes,” he said. For example, he said, they could attend courses on technology-based businesses to ensure that their income is increased.

Also present during the event was Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

At the same time, Ismail Sabri said there were certain groups which were trying to manipulate former athletes into furthering their own agenda.

Ismail Sabri referred to the issue of former national para swimmer Koh Lee Peng, who garnered national attention after news of her selling tissue covers in Bukit Bintang made rounds on social media in January this year.

According to Ismail Sabri, Yakeb had tried its best to help Koh, but the assistance was rejected, and certain irresponsible groups then stepped in to capitalise on it.

“They manipulated the issue by tarnishing Yakeb and the Youth and Sports Ministry’s image.

“I hope Yakeb will be more proactive after this, and find them (who need help) faster,” said Ismail Sabri, who also urged former athletes to register themselves with Yakeb to ensure that financial assistance can be channelled easily.

Ismail Sabri also said there were proposals to build a centre of excellence for former athletes, dubbed as Wisma Yakeb.

“As the former Youth and Sports Minister, I know there is a lot of land owned by the ministry that hasn’t been fully utilised. So, I hope the minister (Faizal Azumu) will look into this so that it could be developed by Yakeb,” said Ismail Sabri, to which Faizal Azumu stood up and pledged to do so.

Ismail Sabri expressed confidence that Yakeb will continue to play its role as a foundation that will ensure the needs of former athletes are managed.

“The government will continue to ensure assistance and aid are channelled to Yakeb,” said Ismail Sabri, who was Youth and Sports Minister in 2008.